Mick Antoniw: Well, I will come to that. It's one of those ironies that I'm really glad that there is an amendment, because it shows someone has read the paper and the importance of it to this Senedd, and it also reflects one of the positions in respect of independence. I think the point is that, if we're going to have a White Paper and we're going to have a consultation, there are of course other models...
Mick Antoniw: Diolch, Llywydd. I notice we are ahead of time. I'm enthused by the fact that this important subject has had so many contributions, so I hope it might give me a little bit of leeway if I try and answer some of those questions. The first thing I'll deal with is Mark Isherwood's point, and the point that others made, on this issue of the model and the independence. I've absolutely no real...
Mick Antoniw: I have a fairly firm view in my own mind in terms of the importance of a non-ministerial department. It also then leads, of course, to the need to create, in due course, a specific justice department here and a justice ministry, and so on. Those are probably matters for the next Senedd. I just think it's premature at this stage, on the back of this report, with a new president of tribunals...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you Presiding Officer. I move the motion. This Bill has no legislative merit in a modern, responsible parliamentary democracy. Unlike the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which sought to ensure legislative continuity and consistency, this is an ideologically motivated discontinuity Bill. It serves no constructive purpose and sabotages years of parliamentary and legislative convention...
Mick Antoniw: In the past months, Welsh Ministers have said time and time again to UK Ministers that this Bill needs to be prevented, or it needs to be significantly changed. But, to date, the UK Government haven't done either of those two things. The Welsh Government disagrees vehemently with the whole intention of the Bill. Generally speaking, we believe that retained EU law works well, as EU law worked...
Mick Antoniw: What I can say is that the Welsh Ministers have no desire to amend retained EU law in devolved areas to reduce standards using powers given to us by this Bill. We intend to maintain the protections derived from retained EU law. We will work with the Senedd and build on existing collaboration with stakeholders to address retained EU law as appropriate. But let me take you through some of the...
Mick Antoniw: In closing, Llywydd, I’d first of all like to thank the four Senedd committees who took such an interest in the Bill and have written to me and other Welsh Ministers. I’m particularly grateful to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for its scrutiny in respect of the LCM and the supplementary LCMs and their detailed report, much of which I agree with, as has already been...
Mick Antoniw: Yes, certainly.
Mick Antoniw: First of all, with the EU legislation, of course, there was scrutiny and it was scrutinised within Parliament. But secondly, the point that we particularly make here is that all this legislation is not going to be scrutinised by the UK Government, it is giving authoritarian powers to UK Government Ministers, and, indeed, to Welsh Ministers, and that has got to be unacceptable. It is certainly...
Mick Antoniw: Unfortunately, whatever changes we have requested to date, there is no sign from the UK Government that they will be accepted; they don't seen to be open to making significant changes. Without changing direction entirely, I can't see any version of this Bill that the Welsh Government could recommend that the Senedd consent to it. Therefore, Llywydd, I ask Members to reject consent for this...
Mick Antoniw: I therefore ask Members to withhold consent for this Bill. Diolch.
Mick Antoniw: Thank you, Llywydd. Today, after nine months of scrutiny, the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill returns to the Senedd to be considered for the final time. When I introduced the Bill, last July, I highlighted its historic importance as the first consolidation Bill as part of the Welsh Government's ambitious programme to improve the accessibility of Welsh law. The Bill brings together the main...
Mick Antoniw: In its welcome report, after detailed committee consideration, the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee recommended that the Bill should proceed to the Final Stage. I want to thank the Chair of the committee, all of the committee members and the committee staff for the detailed attention they have given to this very substantial Bill. The committee's deliberations were informed by...
Mick Antoniw: I just have a few closing comments. The points made with regard to the marine environment are valid ones. I think the problem was that with the marine environment, there are many aspects to it. It's not just about shipwrecks; it ranges from submerged prehistoric landscapes to the evidence of modern industrial and military activity. There are certain areas that are potentially reserved. To...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for your question. The Welsh Government is committed to ending racism, as demonstrated through our anti-racist Wales action plan, which aims to build an anti-racist Wales by 2030. Racism and all forms of hate and bigotry have no place in Wales.
Mick Antoniw: Firstly, can I recognise the tremendous support that was given by the local community, in the events that you refer to in the Vale of Glamorgan, in standing up to those far-right individuals—those racists that attended? I'm particularly impressed by the position that was taken by the local football club, which have a number of refugees who actually play for them. I think it really does such...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for the question. The fact of the matter is yes, of course, it will be of—oh, sorry. I believe that the work of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales is, and will be, a vital contribution to the discussions already taking place here in Wales and across the United Kingdom.
Mick Antoniw: Thank you. You raise a number of, I think, very important points. I suppose the first thing I would say is that, whereas over the past two decades the discussion on constitutional reform has been well advanced within Wales and Scotland, and indeed in Northern Ireland, but had been rather dormant in England, what is encouraging now is the recognition of how important the decentralisation of...
Mick Antoniw: Can I just say that the decisions that are taken by the health Minister in respect of her functions as a Minister are properly addressed to that Minister and not to myself?
Mick Antoniw: Well, the health Minister yesterday responded to similar questions that were put. She explained the decisions that have been taken, and the basis on which those decisions were taken. Those are a matter for the health Minister, and should be properly addressed to the health Minister.
